Letters To The Editor: Critical thinking vs. religious thinking

Our public schools teach critical thinking, which involves reading, understanding, questioning, debate, experimenting and - most of all, an open mind.

Religious schools teach religious thinking. Aggressive religions employ brainwashing and faithfully accepting what you are told. This serves the religion well but does not serve our country well.

We enjoy the highest living standard in the world because of our technology, which is advanced through critical thinking.

Religious schools can't afford to teach critical thinking, because the students may begin to question the basic premise of the religion. It is all right to question the basic premise of science, although you will run into resistance from established experts who may tell you to go to hell, but at least no one will tell you that you are going to hell because you have questioned the basic premise of science.

But in religious schools, if you question the basic premise of the religion's reason for existing, you probably will be told that you are going to hell.

People should go to church to learn how to live and love others as much as they love themselves.

This should be voluntary on the part of each person.

Pat Childs

Amarillo

Don't worry, Mississippi will come around

As if further evidence were needed, news from that Red-saturated state of Alabama underlines the November victories of conservatives in general and the religious right in particular.

After a recount, Alabama voters have defeated a referendum on the Nov. 2 ballot that would have removed from the state constitution segregation-era wording requiring separate schools for "white and colored" children, as well as references to poll taxes once imposed to prevent blacks from voting.

"Uppity colored folks" and "outside agitators" from Blue states had best beware. It is still 1963 in Alabama.

"How could this be?" you ask. "Normally, such a repugnant measure would be soundly defeated, even in a Red state."

You'd be right, if not for the efforts of Alabama Christian Coalition President John Giles and the unflagging devotion of coalition members who fought long and hard to preserve the discrimnatory language. Thus, another defeat for the liberals.

Normally, of course, Alabama's reaction to social or racial criticism is to point to Mississippi: "See? We're not so bad."

This vote makes even that tactic a bit tenuous.

But cheer up, Alabamans. The Christian Coalition is strong in Mississippi. Be patient.